Ellen Emerson may be the last living survivor of the Johnstown flood. She was only four years old on May 31, 1889, when twenty million tons of water decimated her hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Thousands perished in what was the worst natural disaster in U.S. history at the time. As we witness in The Johnstown Girls, the flood not only changed the course of history, but also the individual lives of those who survived it.
A century later, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporters Ben Bragdon and Nina Collins set out to interview 103-year-old Ellen for Ben’s feature article on the flood. When asked the secret to her longevity, Ellen simply attributes it to “restlessness.” As we see, that restlessness is fueled by Ellen’s innate belief that her twin sister Mary, who went missing in the flood, is somehow still alive. Her story intrigues Ben, but it haunts Nina, who is determined to help Ellen find her missing half.
Novelist Kathleen George masterfully blends a history of the Johnstown flood into her heartrending tale of twin sisters who have never known the truth about that fateful day in 1889—a day that would send their lives hurtling down different paths. The Johnstown Girls is a remarkable story of perseverance, hard work, and never giving up hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It’s also a tribute to the determination and indomitable spirit of the people of Johnstown through one hundred years, three generations, and three different floods.
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“A story with characters that feel so real that it’s sometimes hard to remember the book is a work of fiction. This is further compounded by the vivid descriptions of the flood that correspond with historical accounts and the fact that the story is set in very real locations. . . . A colorful account of one of the most traumatic moments in Pennsylvania’s history and the lives it changed.”
―Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“The 125th anniversary of the devastating Johnstown Flood will be observed on May 31, 2014. Thousands perished. It was the worst natural disaster in U.S. history at the time. The author has captured the drama of these real events and blended the personal storylines of
wonderful characters to pay tribute to the people of Johnstown, Pa. Bravo, Ms. George. You have shown the true grit and spirit of this American town.”
--Free Lance-Star Media
“The story of the flood was fascinating.”
--Somerset (PA) Daily American
“Brings not just May 1889 but also the entire twentieth century to life for readers. In ‘The Johnson Girls,’ George introduces readers to the class issues that others have featured in the story of the flood, but in tracing the lives of her main characters after the flood she also subtly forces readers to contemplate the gender, race, and class issues that prevailed throughout the twentieth century. . . A meaningful story that builds on historical reality while painting a larger picture that goes well beyond the one event. . . the goal of the novel is not to retell the well-known story but to give it a human face that reflects, but does not necessarily recount, the history. George succeeds at this."
―H-Net Reviews
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